The Presbytery of Utica is small in number of churches and members nut large in area (about 6000 square miles). About half of the area (but only three of its churches) is located in the Adirondack Park. UTICA PRESBYTERY: CONGREGATIONS WORKING TOGETHER TO
FAITHFULLY DEMONSTRATE THE LOVE OF CHRIST
VISION STATEMENT
We are called to be:
a united presbytery where...
• worship is central to our life
together
• we are spiritually grounded, and our spiritual energy is continually renewed
• everything we do is measured against our mission statement
• we speak the truth in love
• we share in each other's strengths
• we listen to, affirm, nurture and trust each other
• we pray for each other "without ceasing"
• we make decisions by consensus, with a minimum of bureaucracy
• we accept and include all people
• we move from a survival mentality to a service mentality, putting faithfulness to the gospel ahead of self-preservation
a presbytery witnessing to a transformed way of being
• learning, equipping, resourcing, communicating
• fostering understanding, in a multi-cultural society, and celebrating our own identity, our unity in diversity
• listening for the voice of Jesus in others different from ourselves
• becoming a learning community
• developing vital leadership that is faithful to the gospel
• upholding each congregation as a mission outpost
• understanding the Presbytery as “us” rather than “them”
• working creatively with neighboring presbyteries
a presbytery with a stronger voice for the disenfranchised...
• reaching out to the community without concern for membership and with a willingness to sacrifice for others
• speaking to issues of justice and advocating for change
• fostering a closer relationship with other faith communities
• serving ALL of God's people, including those who are homeless, hungry, isolated, and lonely
• working for environmental, economic, and social justice and peace, in our community and world
